The Living Lab
It is possible to get involved with designing solutions to environmental challenges facing the University as part of your course. The Living Laboratory for Sustainability (the ‘Living Lab’) provides opportunities for Cambridge students to carry out research and projects across the University to improve its sustainability. You can complete a project as part of your course, which will allow you to focus on making the University estate more sustainable whilst also producing work which counts towards your degree. (Please note that projects will require approval through the usual Departmental channels as well as via the Living Lab).
An example of a previous project was an analysis of the energy performance of the Sainsbury Laboratory. The results helped create a case for improvements to the Building Management System which have since resulted in a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Other examples of past projects can be found here.
If this appeals to you then see here for further details: http://www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/getting-involved/living-laboratory-sustainability/academic-projects or email living.laboratory@admin.cam.ac.uk .